Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: ginnyp on October 24, 2020, 08:32:50 am
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Hi, we have just ordered a 2021 2552 and while we are very excited - there is a 2019 2910-E that has us conflicted. Can someone here speak to the V-8 VS the Triton V-10 and what the downside to the 2019 might be? Thank you for any advice
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We full time in a 2552 so I can't tell you specifics on the 2910 but I can tell you why we didn't buy it. The longer rigs with more windows REALLY called to me and I agonized over the choice for a long time. We wanted to stay under 30 feet so we fit in the older campgrounds (negligible, I know). We also worry about weight/payload. When I pressed him, Kermit estimated I'd lose about 1000 pounds of available payload by going with the extra slide. We only have 3000 in the 2552 and while that seems like a lot, it isn't. You have to count everything: fuel, water, propane, food, clothing, tools, dishes, and on and on - don't forget the people and pets. It adds up fast.
We are very happy with the 2552 and think we hit the "sweet spot" with livability, drive/handling and the all-important payload. But remember, everyone is different. You have to make a list of pros and cons to see what works for you.
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Thank you so much for the weight comparable - we didn't think about that. All information helps
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The 2552 has a 206" wheelbase and a 27' 10" overall length.
The 2910D has a 220" wheelbase and 30' 10" overall length.
The front bumper is exactly the same distance from the front axle on both units. That means while the 2910D has 14" longer wheelbase, that the rear of the 2910D is 22" further behind the rear axle.
That's almost 2' more overhang causing a few issues. You must take wider turns because of the longer wheelbase and must take much greater care going in and out of driveways to avoid the rear end scraping or getting hung up. Yes, both models have "skid wheels" on the hitch assembly to help prevent damage, but they aren't 100% effective and they are very noisy if they do hit the pavement.
Also, with almost 2 more feet of RV behind the rear wheels, there will be more weight on the rear axle and more "leverage" in a crosswind to push you to one side or the other. They are both safe vehicles but your driving technique will be different between the two models.
Don
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I’m assuming the one you ordered has the new 7.3 Godzilla engine ? Engine wise I would jump at the new engine over the v10.
Also if your ordering new you can avoid the mistake of 30 amp and only one AC as well as those dang decals and so on.
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Good choice in 2552. I feel 2910 is limited on cargo capacity.
If someone is taller than 6 foot you may consider extending the chassis or eliminating pantry to extend drivers side bed by 6_12 inches. It is tight at 68 inches. Passenger side is 74 inches in any configuration. Two a/c is good suggestion. Search forum for other orders and see if they ordered things you may want, like additional outdoor lights...oh ya get full body paint. Shines greatly and easier to maintain.
PC may another model called a 2910 Twin or Custom. Was like 2910D with no rear slide and twins in rear instead of queen bed with slide. Gave better cargo capacity eliminating slide weight. Searching forum can give more info. Only few were made back around 2012 to 2016. Personal favorite of mine.
Ron S
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The 3100 is the twin bed, rear bath model. Only one slide out on driver's side front. The current 2910T is like the 2910D with a 3rd slide out on front passenger side.
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An rv is like a Swiss army knife, but regardless of which one you choose, you will always end up compromising one thing for another. The challenge is anticipating how you plan to use it and determining which is best for you.
The E model would be a fantastic home away from home for week long stays at rv resorts, all of which have on-site stores and nearby eateries, so not being able to pack another 500 pounds of stuff isn't terribly bad. But backing into tight spaces surrounded by trees and boulders in the national parks could be really challenging.
For many people bigger is better, so smaller spaces are always easier to find during peak season if you didn't reserve months in advance.
IMHO the new engine is a relatively minor evolution, but probably more relevant to people shopping for a new heavy duty pickup.
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IMHO the new engine is a relatively minor evolution, but probably more relevant to people shopping for a new heavy duty pickup.
I just had this discussion with a lad who just purchased an F250 with the Godzilla engine. His comments were very positive, but not pulling a heavy load.
My comments were about the reliability of the V10 vs. the new 7.3L now in the 2021 models. It apparently has very good low end torque and I'm sure better MPG. But reliability in my mind is still a question. Size seems to be smaller and thus a better fit.
I have seen the videos linked to before about comparisons and they seem favorable to the 7.3 Godzilla.
Who has experience with the new 7.3 Godzilla powerplant to add confidence in a new purchase vs a fairly new Phoenix Cruiser with the proven V10 Tritan engine?
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Steve. The 289 was a reliable engine as was the 302, the 390 and the 460 to name a few and I wouldn’t want any of them in one of my vehicles. A dead horse is still a dead horse, the v10 no matter how reliable is not coming back. A few years from now, very few, people looking at used RV will want the newer engine. It’s just the nature of the beast. The engine is overbuilt, that much is already a known factor. I know the next Rv I buy will not have the v10. Keep a look at fast lane trucking. Also five star tune and see what they can pull out of this new engine. They over built it for a reason and I won’t be surprised if we see Ford bring our higher numbers in future years if this engine.
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I wish PC made a 2551/52 with a queen or two twins in the back, no slide back there. Mid-bath, I'd even take a wet bath, all waste tanks (and dump valves) as close to the rear axle as possible. That would be ideal to me. Navion has a floor plan like this. I've been trying to figure if I could convert mine, wheel wells seem to be in the way. Winning the lotto would be the only way I could afford a new one.
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2 Lucky
If we both win the lottery we can order one with twins in the back, no slide. See pictures. Seats were permanent mount after market. You lose the large rear clothes cabinet.
Ron S
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2lucky.. what’s the advantage to the beds being in the rear in the 2552?
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According to the PC brochures, the rear twin bed floor plan was called model 2950. The last year it was offered was 2011. It had one slide out that accommodated a couch (or dinette) and the fridge.
The pictures shared by sarz above has me confused because the kitchen is partially inside the slide out like a current-day 2910.
I personally like a rear bedroom with a walk-around queen bed in the middle without a slide out, a common floor plan in the old days before slide-outs became so popular.
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According to the PC brochures, the rear twin bed floor plan was called model 2950. The last year it was offered was 2011. It had one slide out that accommodated a couch (or dinette) and the fridge.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/rvs/d/palmdale-2007-phoenix-cruiser-2950/7214474731.html
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The pictures shared by sarz above has me confused because the kitchen is partially inside the slide out like a current-day 2910.
The 2910 pictures that Ron S has shared are indeed from a PC that was built between 2012 and 2016. The first one of these built was a custom model by gradygal. After the first one built others asked for the same design. It was called a 2910.
We camped with gradygal on a few occasions and it was a very comfortable model. It did not have a large hanging closet like the rear both models offer.
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2lucky.. what’s the advantage to the beds being in the rear in the 2552?
The only thing I dislike about our 2551 is that the head of the bed is almost in the "head." Also, by moving the waste tanks forward you move the weight distribution forward. A mid bath would also create two distinct living sections, leaving the bedroom being very private.
IMHO the 2551 chassis wheel base and coach length is a very well balanced combination, with stable driving characteristics. Longer wheelbase makes maneuvering difficult, longer rear section overhang results in weight distribution problems. You see way too many class C that just look out of balance, like 1/3 of the coach is behind the rear axle. Tho I've never driven one, the 2950 does not appear to be balanced and is just too long for me. Again, just my opinion.
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IMHO the 2551 chassis wheel base and coach length is a very well balanced combination, with stable driving characteristics.
I agree. And model 2351 and 2552 are right on it's heels. Longer yet becomes a weight and weight-distribution problem. Models shorter than a 2351 (like our 2350) requires additional investment in suspension stuff to control the rig better. At least I was able to correct the condition rather than live with it.
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2lucky,,,, ok I get that but I’ve never felt the rear of my 2552 sagged or out of balance. I sure have seen some longer rigs that have what appears to be huge over hangs both in class A as well as C. My preference for having the bath in the rear rather than a mid bath is the kitchen. I don’t want the commode anywhere near where my food is prepared. It’s all personal preferences no doubt.
I really like the 2900 and 3100 models but like almost every brand class c out there, once it gets to 30 foot or beyond there’s weight issues. At least in most I’ve read about.
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Joseph...I never thought of it that way, you make a good point, and saved me thousands of dollars and a ton of work! Thanks! :)(:
And I agree there is no weight issue in the 2551 except when heading home with full waste tanks (I like to dump and clean at home) And the heavy ebikes and rack on back I seem to feel a bit more drift, could be my active imagination...
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2lucky... I’ve driven with full tanks although not often if I can avoid it. Mostly if I’m returning from noon docking . I do not however have Ebikes on the rear but do have the tow bar for the Jeep. I’m guessing the E bikes weigh 60-70 lbs or are the lighter than that?
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My rack is heavy and the bikes are 45# each. Like I say, probably my imagination...the 2551 handles the best of any class C I've ever had or driven even with the waste tanks full. I just figure the more the weight is distributed between the axles the better.
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Joseph,
I carry 2 Ebikes (about 70 lbs) on a bike rack that weights about 15 lbs plus an 8 lb extension. So, close to 100 lbs total.
I use an extension hitch receiver on the PC's hitch receiver. The extention moves the mount point back about 12" and raises the receiver about 6". The bike rack also raises the bikes another 10 or so inches. That way, the bikes (in a bike cover) don't hide the tail lights.
I use a J-pin for the extension and the bike rack mounts to the extension with a bolt that keeps the rack from clacking around. I keep the ladder folded up and use a bungee cord to insure it stays up. That way, with the bikes on, I can still partially open the rear storage for power cord or long garden hose.
Zero issues, handling or otherwise with or without full tanks, etc. My 2551 does not even "know" the bikes are there.
Don
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I really like the 2900 and 3100 models but like almost every brand class c out there, once it gets to 30 foot or beyond there’s weight issues. At least in most I’ve read about.
I agree with you.
In those "At Limit" or "Just Over Limit" conditions, the weakest link is always the tires. Most often a rear tire explodes, and when it does, it destroys the motor home. It happens up front too, but not as often and with less damage as long as you maintain control of the vehicle.
If I owned a 2910D, 2910T, or 3100, my first trip out would include getting the rig weighed at a truck stop weigh scale to determine the actual "trip-loaded" weight per axle on the tires. Tires per axle that are at or over the limit with 80 PSI in them, I would replace them with a set of extra load tires that increase the weight capability per tire by roughly 500 pounds. That translates to roughly 2000 pounds of extra load ability on the rear axle, and 1000 on the front axle.
There are two different extra load tires available. One with a max of 83 PSI to get the max load rating, the other at 90 PSI. I would get the 83 PSI since the stock Ford steel wheels have a max rating of 80 PSI. 3 PSI over is negligible.
One other topic rarely discussed is the tire gauge you use. CLICK HERE (http://forum.phoenixusarv.com/index.php/topic,2798.0.html) to read my experience on tire gauge inaccuracies. The one tire gauge that was supposed to be my best, turned out to read 9 PSI high. That meant I was under-inflating my tires by 9 PSI, a condition ripe for a tire explosion.
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Hi, Thanks for all your advice... We went to Jacksonville FL where we were about to drive a new 2020 2552 with Liquid Springs V-10 and a 2021 2552 with the new V-8. My husband was able to tell a difference with the Liquid Springs but thought the V8 handled great also. We actually bought the 2021 instead of waiting for the one we ordered so we take delivery tomorrow instead of waiting for January (and with COVID who really knows how long). I'm very excited. Thanks for all the advice.
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Hi, Thanks for all your advice... We went to Jacksonville FL where we were about to drive a new 2020 2552 with Liquid Springs V-10 and a 2021 2552 with the new V-8. My husband was able to tell a difference with the Liquid Springs but thought the V8 handled great also. We actually bought the 2021 instead of waiting for the one we ordered so we take delivery tomorrow instead of waiting for January (and with COVID who really knows how long). I'm very excited. Thanks for all the advice.
Superb! Enjoy your new PC!
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Congratulations ginnyp and hubby.
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Congrats Guys!!
Look forward to your impressions of your new rig!
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Congrats PCers! Fine RV! Please send pics when you can.
Ron S